Alarmed by proposals over the last few years to commercialize Griffith Park by building hotels, restaurants, tramways and numerous parking structures, Col. Griffith J. Griffith’s heirs submitted a 350 page Application which just barely passed its first vote for continued review at a recent meeting of the Cultural Heritage Commission.  Approval of the Application by the Commission and then by the City Council would bring Griffith Park the same status now enjoyed by many other parks and treasured Los Angeles locations. While it would not prevent further development, it would help to ensure that historical aspects of the Park are preserved and that the people of Los Angeles have notice and opportunity to be heard on significant developments.

The Los Feliz Improvement Association and over 30 other community organizations have voted to support the Application.  Now it is time for each of us to make our individual voices heard. Some City officials and private interests have asserted that the Application be limited to only certain parts of the Park.  This would diminish the status of Griffith Park as a whole, and leave parts of the Park unprotected from possibly unwise and unsupervised development (as well as ineligible for historic funding).  This despite the facts that expressed concerns about impacting City services appear to be unfounded and that other Los Angeles parks and facilities, including City Hall itself, have thrived after being protected as Historic-Cultural Monuments.

Here is what you need to do NOW.
1. Make your views known by sending letters or e-mails to Councilmember Tom LaBonge and the Cultural Heritage Commission at the addresses below:

Tom.LaBonge@lacity.org
Hon. Tom LaBonge, City Hall  Room 480, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

CHC@lacity.org
Cultural Heritage Commission, City Hall Room 272, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tell them that you “strongly support the designation of the whole of Griffith Park as an Historic-Cultural Monument” and that you ” hope that you agree and will support it as well.” Please customize your letter to increase its impact. Please be good enough to send a copy to us at Announcements@lfia.org.

2. Attend the next Cultural Heritage Commission hearing: A vote on the matter is tentatively scheduled for the Thursday, October 2nd meeting. It begins about 10am on the 10th floor of City Hall. It is open to the public and your views are welcomed.

3. Follow the progress of the Application and get more information by going to www.lfia.org or on this page of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) where you will find more sample draft letters for you to use, as well as additional information including a copy of the Application and the CHC staff report, and a list of supporting organizations. There is even a survey form where you can submit your support.

9/18/08